LAUSR

CO2-responsive polymer single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) and self-assembled micellar aggregates are investigated as gas-controlled, rate- and size-tunable nanoreactors of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). On one hand, SCNPs are prepared from a random copolymer of poly{(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-co-4-methyl-[7-(methacryloyl)oxy-ethyl-oxy]coumarin} (P(DMAEMA-co-CMA)). When dispersed in aqueous solution, individual nanoparticles can undergo reversible swelling/shrinking under alternating CO2/N2 stimulation as a result of the reversible protonation/deprotonation of tertiary amine groups. On the other hand, tadpole-like single-chain “Janus” nanoparticles (SCJNPs) are prepared using an amphiphilic diblock copolymer of PS-b-P(DMAEMA-co-CMA) (PS is hydrophobic polystyrene). This type of SCJNPs can self-assemble into core–shell micellar aggregates in aqueous solution. Under CO2/N2 stimulation, the collective swelling/shrinking of SCJNPs within the micelle results in large, reversible volume change. Both P(DM...